The annual list of best and worst states for credit conditions is based on an analysis of the unemployment rate, bankruptcy rate, foreclosure rate, average credit score and credit card delinquency rate of each state.Here are the 2012 results:RankState1.North Dakota2.Vermont3.South

Taiwanese personal computer maker Acer Inc. (2353.TW) said Friday it swung to a net profit of 56 million New Taiwan dollars (US$1.9 million) for the second quarter, but the company continues to struggle with weak demand and competition from tablet makers like Apple Inc.

Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production PCL (PTTEP.TH) is on track to completing its acquisition of Africa-focused exploration company, Cove Energy PLC (COV.LN), after the Mozambique government approved the change in control of Cove's stake in a gas field in that country.

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC (BSY.LN) said Friday that on Aug. 16 it purchased 165,000 of its ordinary shares for cancellation at an average 762.8827 pence per share.

European stock markets opened slightly firmer on Friday, led by banks and tracking gains overnight for Asia and Wall Street after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her country was committed to doing all it could to preserve the euro.

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN.LN) said Friday it purchased for cancellation 200,000 of its own ordinary shares at a price of 3016 pence per share for cancellation.

Shares in Lonmin PLC declined by 5% on Friday. The FTSE 250-listed South African mining company has been at the center of violent clashes in recent days between police and striking miners that media reports said have led to the deaths of at least 30 people and injured many more. Several thousand

UniCredit SpA's (UCG.MI) chief executive said Friday he's not concerned about the risk of a takeover of the Italian bank.

Crude-oil futures dropped in Asia Friday as investors booked profits after prices settled at three-month highs Thursday, fuelled by tightening inventories, heightened Middle East tensions and positive comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Dutch agency borrower Nederlandse Waterschapsbank NV, or NWB, is planning a benchmark-size, euro-denominated, seven-year bond, one of the banks running the deal said Friday.